Metal

Wastewater

Catalysis

Adsorption

Polymerization

Engineering

Materials science

Chromatography

Selective adsorption

Elution

Molecularly imprinted polymer

Metal ions in aqueous solution

Chemical engineering

Polymer

Waste management

Environmental engineering

Nanotechnology

Organic chemistry

Environmental chemistry

Molecular imprinting

Environmental science

Heavy metals

Chemistry

Selectivity

Covalent bond

Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), prepared by the interaction forces such as forming covalent or non-covalent bonds by crosslinkers and initiators, are new types of specific recognition polymers with particular cavities. This is an ideal class of materials for wastewater treatment because of the particular holes left by the elution process. This review discusses the development process, classification, synthesis principles, systems, and polymerization methods of MIPs. At the same time, the adsorption mechanism of Copper (Cu), Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), Silver (Ag), and Lead (Pb) in the MIPs technique are studied. Finally, some suggestions and prospects for the future development of MIPs are also put forward.

Progress and challenges in molecularly imprinted polymers for adsorption of heavy metal ions from wastewater